The animated films that shine in Hollywood, and that have moved and entertained different generations, are not only drawn from the United States. Behind films like Kung Fu Panda or Corpse Bride, in reality, lies the hand and magic of two Catalan brothers. Carles and Jordi Grangel have been in charge, for four decades, of illustrating the fantasies and imaginations of directors like Tim Burton or Steven Spielberg. Until September 4, CASA SEAT delves into the fantastic and magical universe created by Grangel Studio, through an exhibition with more than 300 original works, some of which have never before been seen.
The exhibition Creating Movie Characters is a tribute to these creators, as well as a journey through films that have managed to conquer the hearts of audiences around the world, such as Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda or Antz. Films already consecrated as classics, and that have managed to entertain and move different generations. These films were conceived from the Catalan capital by Grangel Studio, also creators of stories such as How to Train Your Dragon, The Prince of Egypt, Hotel Transylvania or Balto. But the list does not end here. With more than thirty titles (3 of which have not yet been released), the Grangel brothers have also been responsible for bringing to life Corpse Bride or the recent Pinocchio by Guillermo del Toro, recognized with the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film in 2023. The exhibition, divided into the three floors of CASA SEAT, features the original sketches of the films that have consecrated them as references in the world of animation.
The Grangel story dates back to the 80s, when both began drawing in their hometown, Barcelona. Carles soon decided to expand his horizons and was hired by Amblimation, the studio that Steven Spielberg had located in the British capital, and through which these brothers' journey to Hollywood began. Thus, they founded Grangel Studio in the Catalan capital, an animation studio from which they have managed to work with DreamWorks, Netflix, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros or Universal.
An animated journey that, however, is not yet over, as the brothers continue to work on different projects with the aim of bringing beloved characters to life. In fact, for a few months now they have been working with the Catalan production company Teidees. Four decades ---and those to come--- of inspiring designs that CASA SEAT now reviews and honors. And it does so with a unique exhibition since, although some of these drawings ---such as those from Corpse Bride--- have even traveled to New York, being exhibited at MoMA, they had never before been exhibited with a retrospective of such magnitude in their hometown, with CASA SEAT's being the first that can be seen in all of Spain.
"Returning to Barcelona with this exhibition, after so many years of working for productions all over the world, is like closing a circle. Here we were born as artists, here we dreamed of cinema for the first time. This exhibition is our tribute to a city that always inspires us," say the Grangel brothers.
The exhibition also features a fun feline animal as the protagonist: Cat, the FC Barcelona mascot. One of the latest great signings of the blaugrana team, this mascot manages to arouse passions among young and old, and has also been designed by this duo of brothers. The inauguration of the exhibition featured, in fact, the club's president, Joan Laporta, as well as personalities such as Achraf Ben Ayad or Jordi Penas, who did not want to miss this tribute to one of the great animation studios.
With this exhibition, a double anniversary is celebrated at the same time: the four decades of trajectory of the brothers who have managed to draw in Hollywood from Barcelona, and that of CASA SEAT, which celebrates five years as a meeting point for the city's business, social and cultural fabric. An exhibition that, in addition, can be visited freely and free of charge, as well as being able to be enjoyed in a guided way in one of the visits offered every Friday. To complement the exhibition, the center also offers a new edition of the cycle A Summer of Cinema, which this year includes screenings of titles linked to the Grangel brothers, such as Madagascar, Corpse Bride or Hotel Transylvania.